Sony Alpha 5100 (a5100) Preview

Sony has announced a new ILC (interchangeable lens camera) today that replaces the NEX-5T. The new Sony Alpha 5100 (aka a5000) has been designed for families and casual photographers looking to step-up from using just a cellphone or a compact digicam. Basically, the Alpha 5100 is a great way to dip your toe into the world of interchangeable lenses, offering entry-level ILC ease with performance specs borrowed from the mid-level Alpha 6000 (aka a6000).

Features include the same 24.3MP APS-C CMOS image sensor, Fast Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) system, and BIONZ X processor as the Alpha 6000. The 5100 also boasts built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies, a 180-degree Tiltable 3-inch Touchscreen LCD, Full HD Video recording, an expansive 100-25600 ISO range, 6 frames-per-second Continuous Shooting for up to 56 frames in full resolution, 13 Pictures Effects, and an Auto HDR move for taking High Dynamic Range photographs.

Overall, it's a very nice feature set and we can't wait to try one out in person to see what the 5100's still images and movies look like.

Sony Alpha 5100 Features

24.3MP Exmor CMOS image sensor (APS-C sized)

BIONZ X image processor

ISO 100-25600

6fps Continuous Shooting

Up to 56 frames

Fast Hybrid AF

179 phase-detection AF points

25 contrast detection points

Lock-on AF

Eye AF

180-degree Tiltable 3-inch Touchscreen LCD

Touch Focus

Touch Shutter

Movie Mode

Full 1080p HD Video Recording

AVCHD 60p, 30p, and 24p

7 Picture Effects

Clean HDMI Output

Marker Setting

Built-in Flash

Photo Creativity

Intelligent Auto

Superior Auto

Zebra Function

5 Customizable Buttons

Auto Object Framing

13 Picture Effects

Creative Style

Auto HDR

4K Still image output

Wi-Fi

NFC

The Sony Alpha 5100 (a5100) will be available this September (2014) in black or white for $549 (body only) or $699 (includes a 16-50mm kit lens).

Additional Product Views

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